Faqs About Hard Water, Water Softeners, And Business Use
Can businesses benefit from water softeners? Hard water isn't just an issue for homeowners. Some commercial settings may also need help with this common problem. Whether you're an owner, manager, or the person in charge of your company's plumbing/environmental systems, take a look at what you need to know about hard water, softeners, and your options.
What Is Hard Water?
Does your business really need a softener for its water supply? Before you can decide whether to purchase this type of commercial product (or not), you may need to know more about hard water. Hardness refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in your system's water supply. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), soft water has zero to 60 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of calcium carbonate, moderately hard water has 61 to 120 mg/L, hard water has 121 to 180 mg/L, and very hard water has 180 mg/L or more.
Why is Hard Water a Concern?
Hard water isn't a health hazard, but the excess minerals can cause other issues for a business. High calcium and magnesium content can leave a soap scum coating behind on freshly washed dishes/glassware or can cause spotting. The minerals can also buildup on kitchen items or any other equipment that you wash or rinse with water. In addition, hard water can cause premature wear or failure and contribute to excess energy use. Buildup in appliances or plumbing pipes can force commercial equipment to work harder—driving up your electricity or fuel bills.
What Is a Water Softener?
Do you think your business has hard water? This issue won't go away on its own. If you notice some of the signs of hard water (such as buildup or spots on glassware and equipment), it's time to call a professional. A commercial softening system can correct this issue in your building by removing excess calcium and magnesium.
The softener uses an ion exchange method to filter the excess calcium and magnesium. Water softening system tanks are coated in a resin that contains positive sodium ions. When water flows through softener, the calcium and magnesium ions stick to the resin. Through the ion exchange process, the resin releases sodium into the water. This balances the resin's electrical charge. As the process repeats, the system flushes the tank, rinses away the calcium and magnesium, and replaces the sodium (salt/brine).
What Businesses Can Benefit from a Water Softener?
If your business has hard water, it can benefit from a commercial softener—especially businesses that use high quantities of water or need to regularly wash dishware/glassware. These include restaurants, catering companies, hotels, car washes, medical centers, and laundromats.
For more information about water softeners, contact a water softener company in your area.